Author: emilydownward
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Self-Criticism, Self-Love
“You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” -Louise L. Hay Sometimes, when what you’re doing isn’t working, the best thing to do is try something else. I am my own toughest critic, have been for years. Has it made me achieve more? It’s…
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The Gift of Animals
“There’s a bigger, deeper world all around us all the time, full of messages and support. We’re marinating in it. It permeates and surrounds our ordinary reality. I wasn’t aware of this deeper world until the Beastie spirits (energies) seemed to find me and I started connecting with them. Observing Beasties helps us tap into…
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Tuning Into Your Body’s Wisdom
“I believe your body knows a lot more than your mind about the life you’re supposed to live.” – Martha Beck, Finding Your Own North Star I started working my first job after college having a sense of determination that I would work my way up the ladder of success, getting more responsibility, more senior…
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Possibilities
“Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson It is the first day of a new year. I am full of the sense of possibility and hope for the year ahead. And while each new day is a beginning, a chance…
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Navigating this Wild, New World
“To navigate the wild world, you need to move your basic perceptual and analytical thinking out of your head and into the whole inner space of the body.” —Martha Beck, Finding Your Way In A Wild New World As much as I know time marches on, it’s still amazing to be at the last week…
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3 Ways to Add More JOY
“Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.” – Helen Keller Peace, Love & Joy. That’s what I wish for everyone, of every religion or non-religion as we bring 2011 to a close. I continue to cultivate these things in…
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How Do You Spell ‘Relief?’
Do you remember that old Rolaids commercial? I know I’m dating myself by sharing this, but it popped into my head during a cold walk around a local lake in the misty rain and I couldn’t help but giggle! (If you want a trip down commercial memory lane, watch this 1981 Rolaids ad with Roger…
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Authenticity
“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” ~Dr. Seuss Yesterday, along with several thousand other people here in Austin, I had the privilege of seeing and hearing some amazing speakers at the Get Motivated! conference. The line-up included Colin Powell, Rudy Giuliani, Stanley…
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Benefits
“Gratitude: appreciative, thankful.” – Webster’s Dictionary The Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S. is focused on gratitude, and we count our many blessings, including family, friends, and the great food. This year, I’m also trying to look beyond the obvious things and find benefits in the struggle, the contrast, the lack of certain things. What…
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Have Faith
“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” – Christopher Robin to Pooh Bear I’ve been struggling to keep the faith lately. I’m not talking about religion, but rather faith in myself. I am my own toughest critic, and when my lizard brain gets activated, it spits out…